Michael J. Crescenz Veterans Affairs Medical Center

2 ARTICLES PUBLISHED IN JoVE

Neuroscience

Anatomically Inspired Three-dimensional Micro-tissue Engineered Neural Networks for Nervous System Reconstruction, Modulation, and Modeling

Laura A. Struzyna^*1,2,3, Dayo O. Adewole^*1,2,3, Wisberty J. Gordián-Vélez^1,2,3, Michael R. Grovola^2,3, Justin C. Burrell^2,3, Kritika S. Katiyar^2,3,4, Dmitriy Petrov^2,3, James P. Harris^2,3, D. Kacy Cullen^2,3

¹Department of Bioengineering, School of Engineering and Applied Science, University of Pennsylvania, ²Center for Brain Injury & Repair, Department of Neurosurgery, Perelman School of Medicine, University of Pennsylvania, ³Center for Neurotrauma, Neurodegeneration & Restoration, Michael J. Crescenz Veterans Affairs Medical Center, ⁴School of Biomedical Engineering, Drexel University

This manuscript details the fabrication of micro-tissue engineered neural networks: three-dimensional micron-sized constructs comprised of long aligned axonal tracts spanning aggregated neuronal population(s) encased in a tubular hydrogel. These living scaffolds can serve as functional relays to reconstruct or modulate neural circuitry or as biofidelic test-beds mimicking gray-white matter neuroanatomy.

JoVE Journal

Three-dimensional Tissue Engineered Aligned Astrocyte Networks to Recapitulate Developmental Mechanisms and Facilitate Nervous System Regeneration

Kritika S. Katiyar^*1,2,3, Carla C. Winter^*1,2,4, Wisberty J. Gordián-Vélez^1,2,4, John C. O'Donnell^1,2, Yeri J. Song^1,5, Nicole S. Hernandez^1,5, Laura A. Struzyna^1,2,4, D. Kacy Cullen^1,2,5

¹Center for Brain Injury & Repair, Department of Neurosurgery, Perelman School of Medicine, University of Pennsylvania, ²Center for Neurotrauma, Neurodegeneration & Restoration, Michael J. Crescenz Veterans Affairs Medical Center, ³School of Biomedical Engineering, Drexel University, ⁴Department of Bioengineering, School of Engineering and Applied Sciences, University of Pennsylvania, ⁵Neuroscience Graduate Group, Perelman School of Medicine, University of Pennsylvania

We showcase the development of self-assembled, three-dimensional bundles of longitudinally aligned astrocytic somata and processes within a novel biomaterial encasement. These engineered "living scaffolds", exhibiting micron-scale diameter yet extending centimeters in length, may serve as test-beds to study neurodevelopmental mechanisms or facilitate neuroregeneration by directing neuronal migration and/or axonal pathfinding.